Page:Sea and River-side Rambles in Victoria.djvu/135

116 water are myriads of the long turreted shell Cerithium, Trochi, and others, and where the stream deepens there is a fine Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) floating majestically along. Certainly no "rara avis" is this bird in Victoria, inhabiting all the Western lagoons in flocks, varying from two to six or probably more—they generally move from one place to another at night, uttering most discordant cries as they fly. Bishop Stanley in his "History of British Birds," p. 393, remarks that although this bird cannot dive, it contrives to immerse itself so deep in the water, as to render its body nearly invisible, and thus avoid detection.

The boat-house of the "Faugh-a-ballagh" Club, reminds us of happy days we have spent with its jovial crew on this stream, and it is worth while to land here to stroll through the Cemetery which is so well cared for,—no ostentation whatever in laying out the grounds, but a quiet rural simplicity pervading everything connected with it, and wild flowers springing up spontaneously to deck the graves of those lying there.

Next we come to the Fisherman's hut and punt;—let us rest again on our oars, and see the result of his haul. Here are Bream, Mullet, Salmon Trout, and a stray Herring (which fish is generally taken with a fly higher up the stream), in plenty surely to augur well for the success of any Fishing Company properly organised. We observe specimens of Paludina, or Marsh Shell: and in flower the pretty Myoporum, tightly embraced by the dodder-like Cassytha. We have a specimen of Trigla, or Gurnard, captured here some few years since, which if not identical with the